Patents by Inventor William Kuru

William Kuru has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240141635
    Abstract: An active noise cancellation system for a toilet comprising a lid configured to cover a bowl of the toilet, a microphone configured to detect noises associated with the toilet, and a coil coupled to the lid and configured to causes vibrations in the lid to emit sounds derived from the detected noises associated with the toilet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: William Kuru, Jason M. Kwacz
  • Publication number: 20240133170
    Abstract: A chemical dispensing system for a toilet that includes a container configured to contain a chemical compound that mixes with water to form a cleaning compound; a bracket coupled to the container; a threaded protrusion that extends from the bracket and is configured to extend through a hole in an inside of the sidewall of the toilet; and a fastener having a threaded body and a head, which is larger radially than the threaded body such that the head is configured to contact an outside of the sidewall in a secured position in which the threaded body threads to the threaded protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Publication number: 20240117618
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Patent number: 11920336
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Publication number: 20240065602
    Abstract: An apparatus for the measurement of urine flow includes a microphone, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The microphone is configured to detect an audio from the urine flow. The temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature in a toilet bowl associated with the urine flow. The controller is configured to calculate a urine volume in the toilet bowl based on the temperature in the toilet bowl and calculate a flow rate based on the urine volume and at least one time interval from the audio from the urine flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: William Kuru, William Kalk
  • Patent number: 11913211
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Publication number: 20240052619
    Abstract: A toilet flushing assembly includes at least a spiral trapway and a drive mechanism. The spiral trapway includes an upstream portion coupled to a toilet bowl, a curved portion, and a downstream portion coupled to a waste outlet. The drive mechanism is coupled to the spiral trapway and configured to rotate the spiral trapway from a first orientation to a second orientation. The first orientation evacuates contents from the toilet bowl and the second orientation advances the contents from the spiral trapway to the waste outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: William Kuru, Jason Kwacz, Prasanth Jayakumar, Robin Whitfield
  • Patent number: 11873634
    Abstract: A chemical dispensing system for a toilet that includes a container configured to contain a chemical compound that mixes with water to form a cleaning compound; a bracket coupled to the container; a threaded protrusion that extends from the bracket and is configured to extend through a hole in an inside of the sidewall of the toilet; and a fastener having a threaded body and a head, which is larger radially than the threaded body such that the head is configured to contact an outside of the sidewall in a secured position in which the threaded body threads to the threaded protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Publication number: 20240011270
    Abstract: Provided is a grey water rinse toilet including a first reservoir configured to store a first water supply, a second reservoir configured to store a second water supply, a bowl having a first inlet fluidly connected the first reservoir and a second inlet fluidly connected to the second reservoir, a first valve disposed in the first inlet and configured to control a flow of the first water supply from the first reservoir to the bowl, and a second valve disposed in the second inlet and configured to control a flow of the second water supply from the second reservoir to the bowl. The flow of the first water supply may be configured to rinse an inner surface of the bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventor: William Kuru
  • Publication number: 20230366184
    Abstract: An air drive system for a toilet includes a compression cylinder including an air space, a fluid space, a base orifice adjoining the fluid space, and an outlet orifice adjoining the air space, and an air drive passage configured to carry pressurized air to the toilet. The flow of water increases the fluid space of the compression cylinder or increases an air pressure associated with the air space of the compression cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Jeremiah Rauwerdink
  • Patent number: 11753808
    Abstract: An air drive system for a toilet includes a compression cylinder including an air space, a fluid space, a base orifice adjoining the fluid space, and an outlet orifice adjoining the air space, and an air drive passage configured to carry pressurized air to the toilet. The flow of water increases the fluid space of the compression cylinder or increases an air pressure associated with the air space of the compression cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Jeremiah Rauwerdink
  • Publication number: 20230270296
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a duct, at least one air knife, and a separation tube. The at least one air knife is configured to direct air from the fan and configured to dry one or more hands and push water from the one or more hands into the duct. The separation tube includes an inclined vane. The separation tube is connected to the duct and configured to separate the water from air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Kajuch, William Kuru, Peter Denzin, Jason Kwacz, Wesley J. Irek
  • Publication number: 20230265643
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Patent number: 11674298
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Publication number: 20230141834
    Abstract: A hand dryer apparatus includes a fan, a duct, at least one air knife driven by the fan and configured to direct air to dry one or more hands and push water from the one or more hands into the duct, and at least one cyclone device to provide at least a partially circular path for the air and water from the hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Kajuch, William Kuru, Peter Denzin, Jason Kwacz
  • Publication number: 20230075406
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Publication number: 20230075110
    Abstract: A biofilm mitigation apparatus includes a supply container, a disinfectant generator, a power source, and a delivery tube. The supply container is configured to store one or more materials for a formation of a disinfectant. The disinfectant generator is configured to generate the disinfectant from the one or more materials from the supply container. The power source is configured to provide electrical power to the disinfectant generator. The delivery tube is configured to transport the disinfectant from the disinfectant generator to a biofilm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Yachna Garg, Jason Kwacz, Jennifer Tarplee, William Kuru, Peter Denzin, Andrew Smith, Robin Whitfield
  • Publication number: 20230059932
    Abstract: An ozone mitigation system reduces the amount of ozone that is expelled from a toilet or another water consuming appliance. The ozone mitigation system may include an ozone generator in communication with a tank of the water consuming appliance. An air source and a power source may be connected to the ozone generator. An ozone flow restrictor or ozone eliminator is operable inside of the tank and configured to modify a flow of ozone from the ozone generator through the toilet tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter Denzin
  • Patent number: 11542698
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Publication number: 20220313864
    Abstract: A panel for accumulation of aerosol particles in an indoor environment includes a surface plate and an electrostatic collector plate coupled to the surface plate and configured to hold an electrical charge to attract and accumulate aerosol particles. The panel may include or otherwise be coupled with an activation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, William Kalk